Gene Transfer Immunizes Against Monkey HIV Analog

Al writes "Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have immunized monkeys against the simian immunodeficiency virus, the animal model that is closest to HIV. They did so by shuttling a gene into the monkeys' muscles, making the muscle cells produce antibody-like molecules that work against SIV. With both SIV and HIV, the chameleon-like mutability of the virus's surface changes so quickly that most antibodies made by the immune system are soon rendered ineffective. Philip Johnson and colleagues designed DNA sequences for two antibodies known to be effective against SIV. They used antibody-like molecules, called immunoadhesins, in which the functional part of an antibody is fused with a more stable section of another antibody. The same approach could be used to deliver antibodies that are effective against HIV, but which the body doesn't normally produce."

Comments

Re:Don't virii evolve extremely quickly?

[NewsWatcher]

"And how bad would the AIDS epidemic be (in Africa or elsewhere) if people followed "oppressive" Christian teachings like keeping the sex in marriage (I'm no expert on Islam, but as far as I know, they too at least theoretically believe the same)?"

That won't do a hell of a lot for the people catching HIV from dirty needles or from breast feeding mothers.
Monogamy in marriage is all fine and dandy, but lets not pretend HIV wouldn't exist if people could just forget millions of years of evolution and keep it in their pants.

"Mock and flame away. I'll pay attention when somebody proposes an actual drawback to monogamy."
By reducing sexual partners, you limit the number of offspring you have and human kind evolves more slowly. But then again, your Christian teachings probably preclude you from believing evolution occurs.

PS Monogamy inside marriage is part of Islam, but in many Islamic societies men can take multiple wives. That is what I call having your cake and eating it too.